Reading with B

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Youth

This poem is from Lang Leavs Love Looks Pretty on You.

This poem hits close to home because I am constantly torn between being young and living to the fullest, to needing to get it together and “grow up.” Can anyone relate?

I chose this poem today because a friend visited this weekend and said he felt so out of place. We laughed and assured him he was not on his own and that even we, Texas State students still feel out of place. There are days I feel unprepared and under qualified but I push through. I force myself to snap out of that mentality because at the end of the day, I belong here. And if I had to start all over again, I know I wouldn’t change a thing, except maybe study more of course. We really are young and these are some of the greatest years, we can’t let them pass us up. We have so much time to be old and worry later!

I know college is rough for everyone and especially for some more than others, but you made it this far and that in itself is an accomplishment. Even if its not college that you’re doing you are still where you need to be.

I hope you take some time to soak in your youthfulness and be grateful for another day, another semester and today for another Sunday.

If you want to read more of Love Looks Pretty on you you can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Looks-Pretty-Lang-Leav/dp/144949935X/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=300523241486&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9028269&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=12925862986899982328&hvtargid=aud-647846986281%3Akwd-561237153273&hydadcr=22564_9790765&keywords=love+looks+pretty+on+you&qid=1571017757&sr=8-1

Lang Leav is a poetry writer from Thailand who also writes novels such as Sad Girls. She now lives In New Zealand with her partner who is also a famous author, named Michael Faudet. Her first book pictured below, Love and Misadventure, was my first poetry book and changed everything for me. I follow Leav on social media and she is extremely interactive and down to earth. One of the best out there ✨

I will often refer to Lang Leav as she is my favorite poet, there are usually the books I am reading from. Please don’t ask me what my favorite is because I don’t have one.

Featured

Welcome to reading with B!

My first image is in dedication to a great friend I lost just 3 weeks ago. This was his favorite Beatles quote and just a great quote to live by, this one is for you Ed.

My blogs is for those of us who grew up loving to read and have lost time, and want to take the plunge into that world again. My mission is to introduce some of my favorites to others in hope of inspiring someone to continue. Even if it’s just before bed to help you fall asleep or when you’re over whelmed with your day. It helps to read and escape for a little while, I promise! I chose to do a reading blog because I feel I often lack the words to express myself yet I find myself inspired by other people’s words on a daily basis. Join me on this reading journey!

App Idea , “Books Within”

An app I would like to have access to would be a book swap. A, cheaper way of exchanging books with people. It would be books within your preferable genre and all you have to pay is the price to mail it. I like the simplicity of getting a good, cheap book that you might enjoy based on recommendations.

Here is the link to the beginning go my idea: https://my.yapp.us/GJZZVX

Nostalgia for today

I chose this poem by Lang Leav today because of graduation coming up. I feel as if we get so caught up in finishing school and starting something new that later were going to miss it. I say that because everyone I have talked to misses college and being free (even though were not really free.)

So its the perfect reminder to slow down, and enjoy the time we have left in school. It’s as if she has a poem for everything. Has anyone read any of her poems? If so whats your favorite? Let me know!!

Lang Leav apart from being an amazing writer, her partner is also a writer. Michael Faudets books include Bitter Sweet Love and Smoke and Mirrors. You can find them on amazon at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=michael+faudet&hvadid=78340243487756&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_4u8bh07lup_e .

The Face on the Milk Carton

My next series is The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney, known as the “Janie Johnson series.” When I read the first book I was hypnotized! It’s about a girl who sees herself on the back of a milk carton and recognizes herself. She immediately knows it’s her and starts to question her parents. Throughout the series she reunites with her birth family and uncovers that she was kidnapped. And that her kidnapper was actually her parents troubled daughter who came home with her one day. Her parents didn’t question her as they should have when she came home with a little girl and I stead took her in and raised her as their own. Janie’s life gets turned upside down when she tries to live both her new and old life.

The author, Cooney, specializes in mystery and suspense among other topics. Her website is https://www.carolinebcooneybooks.com . I find her so interesting because she is so educated and yet still takes classes (we loveeee an educated woman!)

Funny story, when I first started buying these books it was so hard to find them in order. It stressed me out and now they’re all available on amazon (yay.)

Your Father and Your Mothers Story

Today I have a video describing my two newest books (gifts this time.) Here is the Youtube link: https://youtu.be/E3uYIKZabWs

Personally, I thought they were the cutest presents for a parent or parents. I got one for my dad first since he is a November baby and then decided to go back for the mom version since I’m curious about her as well. I love that it’s something from the heart that will later be shared but for now it’s something for them.

Something to share their story to later pass on. And they were only $7 (a bargain if I must say so myself.) So if you’re looking for a sentimental gift on the cheaper side, look no further.

I also recently found out they have grandparents versions! The index categories are broken into: 1: About Our Family 2: When you were Young 3: Your adolescent years 4: Things you learned about life 5: Growing Older and 5: Becoming a Parent.

I will try to update y’all on my parents reactions and if it was actually as good of a present as I thought, let me know yawls opinions as well! Have a good Sunday!

Burn after Writing

Sorry to my readers, I’ve been behind in my posts but I have an excuse, the Astros are in the World Series!!! Today is game 7 though, so I am back. (Update: we lost, but Astros forever) Tonight I want to talk about my newest edition. One of my friends had a “Burn after Writing” book by Sharon Jones, sent to me. It was the first time I’ve done one of these books because they had never caught my attention before. I came to the conclusion that it was so therapeutic! It helped me think about things you should know but never put much thought into. I like that it was so simple but it made me really try to get the words out of me. I really thought I would have been able to answer a lot of these things from the top of my head, I was so wrong. I recommend it Incase you’re ever stressed or just need a distraction.

The first page consists of a pact you have to sign to keep it secretive and refers to a cult. Which sounds scary but could also be a twist that could lure people in. A lot like a secret society, leaving a lot to the imagination. It for sure had me hooked, the thought of burning it makes me a little sad but I guess I have to right?

One thing led to another and I started looking into the benefit of reading and this was my favorite link: https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/10-benefits-reading-why-you-should-read-everyday.html
Let me know if you’ve ever tried something like this, if so which book? I’d love to know more!

A classic trilogy

Heres a link that includes the fourth book (which I am still missing)

So it may seem immature to advocate for these books since they are quite the throwback to high school, but it’s because they’re some of my favorite in my personal library.
You’re going to hate to hear this but yes, the books are better!! ALWAYS

I read them before the movies and it’s so funny because I never agree with the actors that get picked. I definitely didn’t like Shailene Woodley as the main character but Theo James as Tobias was perfect. The book was such a good love story and a lot of action. I would say the book series is intense.

Veronica Roth is amazing at creating new worlds, as she says on her website “No world is like the other.” I also see she has another series called Carve The Mark (adding it to my must reads now.) Roth is from Chicago which is where the books are based off of. I find that interesting because when I think of the books I consider it fantasy but it’s cool to see how she takes our world and can link it to this whole series.

10/10 a must read (again.)

Ellen Hopkins Books

I want to start off by saying Ellen Hopkins is pure genius. Her books are so deep they have a way of sucking you in every.sinlgle.time. They come in no particular order so you can skip around as you please.
I do have to say that they are very detailed and could be triggering, so read at your own risk. They cover everything from drugs and sexual abuse to mental illness.
I’ve read and own Rumble, Impulse, Identical, Tricks, Fallout, Perfect, Traffick, Tilt and Smoke. I have got to say my favorite is definitely Identical because you will not expect that plot twist (I know I didn’t).
I think her books hit a sore spot because they show people who are usually judged harshly, from their points of view and it’s totally different. It reminds you that they’re human too and that’s what we need to see sometimes. Hopkins has a great way of showing another world that we fail to recognize. Let me know which one you read or any suggestions you have for me!

Here is a link incase you want to learn more about the author! http://www.ellenhopkins.com